Golf practice device

ABSTRACT

A plurality of streamers are secured to a golf ball for restricting the free flight thereof. The streamers may be of different colors and are connected to the ball by a single length of cord having one of its ends secured to a pair of parallel cords which also may be of different colors. The other end of the single cord is secured to the ball. The streamers are secured to the pair of parallel cords. If a hook or slice influence is imparted to the ball, the pair of parallel cords will twist upon each other. The single cord is formed of a heavier material than that used in forming the pair of parallel cords. During ground roll, the single cord absorbs twisting forces that would otherwise be imparted to the pair of parallel cords.

United States Patent Inventor Elmer Lynden Berry [72] F REIGNTATENTS1660 Parrott Drive, San Mateo, Calif. I 4 452 I 1905 Britain 273/] 9994402 I6 231 1910 Great Britain... 273/199 [21] Appl. No. 863,116 1 it[22] Filed Oct 2 1969 1 1/1968 France 273/199 45 Patented Dec. 14, 19711 1,495,597 8/1967 France 273/199 Primary Examiner-George J. Marlo [54]GOLF PRACTICE DEVICE Attorney-Flehr, Hohbach, Test, Albritton & Herbert4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

52 US. Cl ABSTRACT: A plurality of streamers are secured to a golf ball[51] Int. Cl A63, 69/36 for restricting the free flight thereof. Thestreamers may be of [50] dd oi Search 273/199 different colors and areconnected to the ball by a single 6 197 length of cord having one of itsends secured to a pair of parallel cords which also may be of differentcolors. The other end [56 Referemes cu of the single cord is secured tothe ball. The streamers are UNITED STATES PATENTS secured to the pair ofparallel cords. If a hook or slice in- 883 058 3 1908 fluence isimparted to the ball, the pair of parallel cords will 1 528'909 311925273/200 R X twist upon each other. The single cord is formed of aheavier 12 1938 u lard 273/198 material than that used in forming thepair of parallel cords. 47'979 9 gf 273/199 During ground roll, thesingle cord absorbs twisting forces that l1 SE9 h 273/199 wouldotherwise be imparted to the pair of parallel cords.

PATENTEDDECMISII 33527325 3: FMAI, 1W Twh sou PRACTICE DEVICE BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relatesgenerally to sporting goods and more particularly to a practice devicefor use in improving and perfecting a persons golf game. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to a golf practice device whichincludes means in conjunction therewith for advising the person usingthe same whether his swing has imparted a correct trajectory to the ballor whether the ball has been driven in an improper fashion. Still moreparticularly, this invention relates to a golfing aid which includesvisual indicator means for determining whether or not the ball has beencorrectly driven or whether the same has been imparted with an improperhook or slice influence. Means are included to restrict the distance oftravel of the device without tethering it to the ground.

2. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore devices have been knowngenerally for the stated purpose of improving a persons golf game.Devices have been generally known which assertedly permit golfingpractice within restricted distances so that a person may repeatedlypractice his golfing stroke in confined areas.

However, prior known devices, so far as is known, have included no meansin conjunction therewith for visually indicating whether or not a golfstroke has been properly executed. That is, so far as is known, priorknown devices have not included indicator means which, upon visualinspection, indicate whether a hook or slice influence has been impartedto the ball. This deficiency in the prior art is attributable to thefact that prior known devices may be classified at tether" devices inwhich some portion of the device, to a greater or lesser extent, issecured or attached to the ground so that free flight of the device as aunit is positively precluded.

Characteristic of prior known devices are those shown in the patents toMitchell, U.S. Pat. No. 2,081,059 dated May 18, I937 and Meminger, U.S.Pat. No. 2,852,261 dated Sept. 16, I958. In addition, Australian Pat.No. 21,210 dated Feb. 6, I935 shows an anchor or tether device for usein practicing a tennis stroke which is somewhat analogous to the fieldof invention of the present development.

With prior art arrangements of the type exemplified by the patentsnoted, the device is designed so that the ball is precluded from freeflight. That is, the ball in each case is precluded from flight for morethan a few feet, determined by the length of the tether cord. As aresult, no indication can be given with such devices as to whether theball was driven with a hook or slice influence. Additionally, becausesuch devices are generally tethered or held to the ground, the ball andtether cord are subjected to substantial strain which can result in theball separating from the tether cord, thereby necessitating repair ordisposal of the device.

The present arrangement overcomes such deficiencies of the prior art inthat the practice device of this invention is devised so that allportions of the device will travel as a unit in substantially freeflight with the ball when the same is driven. However, means areprovided to restrict the flight of the ball within generallypredetermined maximum distance limits so that the device may be utilizedin confined areas, such as the small backyard of an average home.Additionally, the subject device has the important improvement ofincluding means for indicating, either during flight or after completionof flight, whether the ball was correctly driven or was imparted with anincorrect influence such as a hook or slice influence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved golfpractice device. More particularly, this invention relates to a golfpractice device in which a ball is to be driven in free flight andcarries therewith the remainder of the device which includes means forindicating whether or not the ball has been correctly driven.

More particularly, this invention relates to interfering golfing aidwhich includes indicator means for correctly advising a person using thesame whether or not he has correctly hit the ball with the golf club.Still more particularly, this invention relates to a golf practicedevice which may be utilized within a confined area while retaining theimproved characteristics noted. Such device incorporates means forimparting aerodynamic drag or air resistance to limit the extent of freeflight of the device while not interfering with its intended trajectory.Such a device may be used by one person who can retrieve the same aftera practice shot or by two persons spaced from each other who can drivethe device back and forth between each other and thereby advise eachother on the accuracy of the previous stroke.

From the foregoing, it should be understood that objects of thisinvention include the provision of an improved golf practice device; theprovision of a golfing aid which includes indicator means for advising aperson using the same whether his golf stroke has been a correct orincorrect one; the provision in a golf practice device of visualindicator means for advising a person using the same whether his strokehas been correct while the device is still in the air; the provision ina golf practice device of visual indicator means for advising the personusing the same whether his stroke has been correctly executed, uponinspection thereof after the device reaches the end of its flight; andthe provision of a golfing aid in which the same is free to travel as aunit in generally free flight within restricted distance limits asopposed to being tethered to or held in contact with the ground.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from astudy of the following description in which reference is directed to theappended drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of oneembodiment of the subject device positioned, as shown in solid linesready to be driven in a practice stroke. The dotted lines indicating thegeneral path of travel of the same after being struck by a golf club.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of that portion of the device set out by line2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of that portion of the device set out by line3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a portion of one form of indicator means of the device, whichis the form shown in the FIG. 1 embodiment. Cooperable portions thereofhave been shown separated from each other for clarity of illustration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. 1through 4, one embodiment of the subject device is illustrated. Suchembodiment includes a conventional golf ball 1 of standard dimensionsand weight. Attached to the ball for free flight therewith through theair when the ball is struck by a golf club are means generallydesignated 2 for indicating whether the ball has been properly drivenand for restricting the flight of the device within predeterminedmaximum limits.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flight-restricting means is generallydesignated 3 and may take various forms as will be described. As furtherwill be described with respect to other embodiments, theflight-restricting means and the indicator means may be one and the sameor they may be separate from each other as they are in the embodiment ofFIGS. I through 4.

In either case, the indicator and flight-restricting means combine torestrict the travel of the ball to a distance less than would beexpected in their absence. However, such means permit generally freeflight of the ball within predetermined maximum limits so that improperstroke influences imparted to the ball will be evident upon visualobservation of the indicator means. This is in distinction to priorknown devices in which the ball was tethered or held in contact with theground by some tethering means such as a tether cord so that such devicecould not leave the ground as a unit. Such prior art arrangements do notpermit any conclusion being drawn as to whether or not the ball wasproperly driven.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. I through 4, the flightrestrictingmeans is operatively connected with ball 1 by cord means generallydesignated 4 secured at one end thereof to the ball. The manner in whichsuch cord means is secured to the ball may vary. However, proceduressuch as those shown in the previously noted patents to Mitchell, U.S.Pat. No. 2,08l,059 or Meminger, US. Pat. No. 2,852,261, are typical ofseveral methods which may be utilized to secure the cord and balltogether. At its opposite end, the cord means 4 is secured toflight-restricting means 3 in a manner to be described.

The cord means in this embodiment of the device includes two cordsections 6 and 7 connected with each other intermediate the ball 1 andthe flight-restricting means 3 generally at location 8. Cord section 6is defined by a single cord while cord section 7 includes two separateand normally parallel cords 8 and 9 provided for the purpose to bedescribed. At location 8, the single cord 6 and the pair of cords 8 and9 are connected to each other in any suitable fashion, such as bylooping one within the other as seen in FIG. 2.

The pair of cords 8 and 9 as seen in FIG. 3 are secured to theflight-restricting means 3 by passing the same through a bead ll engagedwith one end of an open pyramidalor conical-shaped plastic bell fitting12. The pair of cords extend into the fitting l2 and are engaged andsecured therein by tying the same to a second bead 13 located within thefitting.

A series of discrete streamers 14 are interposed between the enclosedend of the fitting and bead 13. The cords 8 and 9 extend through holesin the streamers and the bead I3 precludes separation of the streamersfrom the cords.

The weight of the cord sections 6 and 7 andof the flightrestrictingmeans comprised of the fitting l2 and the streamers 14 is such thatstroking of ball 1 in a normal fashion with a given golf club will pullthe entire golf practice device from the ground so that the cordsections and streamers travel with the ball through a predeterminedmaximum distance. For example, the weight of the ball with respect tothe cord sections and the streamers may be correlated so that the ball,no matter how hard the same is hit, will travel no more than 30 yards.It should be obvious also that arrangements can be made so that the ballcan travel less than or further than that exemplary distance. It shouldfurther be understood that varied devices of the subject type can beproduced which will permit a golfer to practice with each of theconventional clubs he would normally use on a golfcourse.

In that connection, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 1, prior to driving,the device is stretched out to its full length with the cord sections 6and 7 and the streamers extending generally along and in the directionof the intended path of flight of the ball. Such path of flight ispartially shown by the dotted lines in FIG 1. The ball is struck in sucha fashion that the cords and streamers follow the ball and traveltherewith for the full flight of the ball. That is, the device is in noway tethered or held in contact with the ground.

In an embodiment of the type rotation in FIG. 1, the indicator means maycomprise two distinct structures for indicating correct or incorrect'flight of the ball. For example, the streamers 14 may be provided withdifferent indicia, such as different highly contrasting colors, (blackand white for example) which will permit a viewer of the device inflight to determine whether the streamers are rotating in a clockwise orcounterclockwise direction. Such rotation would be effected by rotation.of the ball and would indicate whether the ball has been imparted with ahook influence or slice influence. That is, if the streamers when viewedin flight are seen to be rotating in the clockwise direction when viewedin a direction looking from the streamers towards the ball, suchrotation would indicate a slice for a right-hand golfer. Conversely, ahook would be indicated by a counterclockwise rotation of the streamerswhen thus viewed.

In that connection, while the streamers provide means for visuallydetermining correct or incorrect ball travel during flight, such avisual inspection desirably should be made by a person other than theperson driving the ball. If the person driving the ball were to try towatch the streamers, he would tend to lift his head which would detractfrom proper concentration on his swing.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 1 also includes means for visuallydetermining whether a ball has been properly hit after the same has cometo rest following its full distance of travel. Such means comprises thepair of cords 8 and 9 which also desirably are provided with differentindicia, such as readily distinguishable colors or striping (black andwhite, for example). If the ball is improperly hit with a hook or sliceinfluence, the cords 8 and 9 will wind or twist upon each other inresponse to rotation of the ball. Such condition is shown in exaggeratedfashion in FIG. 4 for clarity of illustration. Such twisting willreadily indicate when the practice device is retrieved whether a hook orslice has been imparted thereto. However, if the cords are untwisted, itwill indicate to the golfer that he has hit a proper golf stroke.Obviously the extent of twist will emphasize the extent of hook or sliceimparted to the ball.

In connection with the inspection aspects of the pair of cords 8 and 9,the single cord 6 performs an important function. After the ball strikesthe ground following its flight through the air, it can be expected toroll some limited distance. Such ground rolling, if not compensated for,would tend to increase or decrease the amount of twist imparted'to thedouble cords 8 and 9 during flight. The single cord during ground rollof the ball will wind upon itself but will not, it has been found, alterto any appreciable extent the amount of twist imparted to the doublecords 8 and 9. Thus, the single cord serves as a buffer to compensatefor ground roll so that, upon retrieving the device, an accurateindication of the hook or slice influence imparted to the ball willremain.

In the embodiment shown, it is important to note that, by properselection of weight of cords, cord lengths, streamer weights andlengths, that the golfing aid defined by this invention may becalibrated to respond to a perfect golf stroke. That is, if a ball isperfectly hit so that it would travel in normal flight 300 yards, byjudicious selection of the components noted, such a stroke can becalibrated to cause the device to travel a maximum of 30 yards, therebyproducing a l0 to IV ratio between a normal drive and a practice drive.Thus, as a result, in addition to the hook or slice indicationcapability, a distance calibration can be imparted to this device. Suchdistance calibration can be made known by information sold with thepractice device so that, for example, if the purchaser wishes topractice his drives with a No. 1 wood, he would purchase one calibrateddevice, whereas if he wished to practice his chip or approach shots witha No. 9 iron, he would purchase a differently calibrated device.

By way of specific example and inches intending to be limiting on theinvention disclosed, the embodiment of the subject device correspondingto the construction shown in FIGS. I through 4 will be described. Insuch arrangement, a single cord 6, of pliable cotton or suitableplastic, approximately one-eighth inch in diameter and 36 inches long isemployed. The pair of double cords 8 and 9, also of pliable cotton orplastic, approximately one-sixteenth inch in diameter and 24 inches longis employed. Streamers 14, formed of any suitable cotton material,approximately 1 inch wide and 12 inches long are employed. The number ofstreamers utilized may vary, but in the embodiment described, 12 suchstreamers, six each of different colors, have been found suitable.

It should be understood, as noted previously, that variations on thisspecific embodiment to meet particular needs may be effected withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of this invention as set out in theappended claims.

Having thus made a full disclosure of this invention, reference isdirected to the appended claims for the scope of protection to beafforded thereto.

I claim:

l. A free flight untethered golf practice device consisting of a golfball of standard size and weight, means attached to said golf ball forindicating whether said ball has been properly driven or whether a hookor slice influence has been imparted thereto during free flight thereof,and means for restricting the distance of free flight of said golf ballwithout precluding such flight thereof; said indicating means consistingof first and second discrete cord sections interposed between andinterconnecting said golf ball and said flight-restricting means, saidfirst cord section being defined by a predetermined length of singlecord attached directly to said golf ball, said second cord sectionconsisting of a pair of separate cords of predetermined length which arenormally parallel to each other and which are twistable upon each otherduring free flight of said device in response to a hook or sliceinfluence being imparted to said golf ball when driven by a golf club,said pair of cords being attached directly to and being generallyfixedly secured to said length of single cord and to saidflight-restricting means and being interposed therebetween, said pair ofcords becoming wound upon each other in either a clockwise orcounterclockwise direction during free flight of said golf ball inresponse to such hook or slice influence being imparted to said golfball; said single cord serving as a buffer to compensate for any groundroll of said golf ball following flight thereof so that the degree oftwist imparted to said pair of cords during flight will not be alteredduring such ground roll; said flightrestricting means comprising aplurality of streamers attached directly to said pair of cords to limitthe distance of free flight of said golf ball without impairing theability of said pair of cords to record said hook or slice influenceimparted to said golf ball during such free flight thereof.

2. The practice device of claim 1 in which said pair of cords areprovided with different indicia thereon to facilitate visual inspectionthereof for clockwise or counterclockwise twisting after said ball hascome to rest following flight thereof.

3. The practice device of claim 2 in which said different indiciacomprise different colors of said cords.

4. The practice device of claim 1 in which said single cord is formed ofa heavier material than the material from which said pair of cords isformed to facilitate compensation for ground roll by said single cordwithout altering the degree of twist of said pair of cords.

l i i l

1. A free flight untethered golf practice device consisting of a golfball of standard size and weight, means attached to said golf ball forindicating whether said ball has been properly driven or whether a hookor slice influence has been imparted thereto during free flight thereof,and means for restricting the distance of free flight of said golf ballwithout precluding such flight thereof; said indicating means consistingof first and second discrete cord sections interposed between andinterconnecting said golf ball and said flight-restricting means, saidfirst cord section being defined by a predetermined length of singlecord attached directly to said golf ball, said second cord sectionconsisting of a pair of separate cords of predetermined length which arenormally parallel to each other and which are twistable upon each otherduring free flight of said device in response to a hook or sliceinfluence being imparted to said golf ball when driven by a golf club,said pair of cords being attached directly to and being generallyfixedly secured to said length of single cord and to saidflightrestricting means and being interposed therebetween, said pair ofcords becoming wound upon each other in either a clockwise orcounterclockwise direction during free flight of said golf ball inresponse to such hook or slice influence being imparted to said golfball; said single cord serving as a buffer to compensate for any groundroll of said golf ball following flight thereof so that the degree oftwist imparted to said pair of cords during flight will not be alteredduring such ground roll; said flight-restricting means comprising aplurality of streamers attached directly to said pair of cords to limitthe distance of free flight of said golf ball without impairing theability of said pair of cords to record said hook or slice influenceimparted to said golf ball during such free flight thereof.
 2. Thepractice device of claim 1 in which said pair of cords are provided withdifferent indicia thereon to facilitate visual inspection thereof forclockwise or counterclockwise twisting after said ball has come to restfollowing flight thereof.
 3. The practice device of claim 2 in whichsaid different indicia comprise different colors of said cords.
 4. Thepractice device of claim 1 in which said single cord is formed of aheavier material than the material from which said pair of cords isformed to facilitate compensation for ground roll by said single cordwithout altering the degree of twist of said pair of cords.